Public holidays
German public holidays by federal state
In Germany, public holidays are set by the federal states, not by the federal government. Nine days apply nationwide; everything beyond that depends on the state your people actually work in. Pick a state to see the dates for 2026 and 2027.
| Federal state | State-wide holidays 2026 | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 12 days | View holidays, Baden-Württemberg |
| Bavaria | 12 days | View holidays, Bavaria |
| Berlin | 10 days | View holidays, Berlin |
| Brandenburg | 12 days | View holidays, Brandenburg |
| Bremen | 10 days | View holidays, Bremen |
| Hamburg | 10 days | View holidays, Hamburg |
| Hesse | 10 days | View holidays, Hesse |
| Lower Saxony | 10 days | View holidays, Lower Saxony |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 11 days | View holidays, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 11 days | View holidays, North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 11 days | View holidays, Rhineland-Palatinate |
| Saarland | 12 days | View holidays, Saarland |
| Saxony | 11 days | View holidays, Saxony |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 11 days | View holidays, Saxony-Anhalt |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 10 days | View holidays, Schleswig-Holstein |
| Thuringia | 11 days | View holidays, Thuringia |
Only state-wide holidays are counted. Days that apply in individual municipalities only (such as Assumption Day in Bavaria) are excluded here but listed on each state page.
Source: Feiertagsgesetze der Länder · reviewed on
This information is provided without warranty and without any claim to completeness, and it is not legal advice. Individual holidays apply only in certain municipalities, and states can change dates at short notice. The respective state law is what binds.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays apply nationwide in Germany?
Nine days apply in every state: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, German Unity Day, and both Christmas holidays. Everything else is decided by the individual states, which is why a Berlin employee and a Munich employee can have three days' difference per year.
Is there a substitute day when a holiday falls on a weekend?
No. If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no legal entitlement to a replacement day off. Some employers grant one voluntarily, but they are not obliged to.
Which state applies to an employee who works across state lines?
As a rule the place where the work is actually performed governs, not the location of the company headquarters. For remote work across state borders, a clear rule in the employment contract or a works agreement avoids disputes.
Why do some holidays apply only in certain municipalities?
Some state laws tie validity to the religious majority of a municipality or to a local tradition. Examples are Assumption Day in Bavaria, Corpus Christi in parts of Saxony and Thuringia, and the Augsburg Peace Festival in the city of Augsburg.
Can employees work on a public holiday?
Section 9 of the Working Hours Act (ArbZG) generally prohibits employment on public holidays. Section 10 lists exceptions for many sectors (care, hospitality, transport, emergency services), usually combined with an entitlement to a substitute rest day.
Manage absences without maintaining spreadsheets
Gemploy knows the holidays of every German state and factors them into leave requests and absence planning automatically.